I'm always surprised as to how little that union members understand the inner workings of their unions. Therefore it is one of our goals at B Smith's Second Sticks to try and provide as much information from as many reliable sources as possible! We have a long talk with Selene Preston, Eastern Region Director of Photography/Camera Operator and National Assistant Secretary Treasurer of the International Cinematographers Guild (Local 600). Selene is a cameraperson through and through, and a champion of workers who has worked for years behind the scenes, rising to her current position in the Guild. We travel back to the time of the creation of the Unscripted Work Group, which has spent the last decade giving identity and a voice to unscripted union camera workers in the 600. We also touched on the situation with shows leaving our particular areas, and how the Eastern Region, and the New York/New Jersey area in particular, operates somewhat differently than things do on the West Coast. Ultimately, a strong union is going to be essential for us going forward in what will become the new normal, and Selene suggests ways that we can help make our unions stronger. If you have more questions (and there are no stupid questions), reach out to your union, it's essential!

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In the mid 2010's (you can debate the timeline), increased film and television production inspired more than a few workers in our industry to pick up and move to Georgia, seeking a cheaper cost of living and more industry work. By 2023, the production boom in Georgia started to dissipate for a number of reasons, not the least being an exodus of productions moving out of the United States. With this possibly being the new norm, I have to ask for the sake of today's podcast: is Malta the new Georgia? B Smith's Second Sticks speaks with old friend Ryan Rude, who made the move to Malta a year ago with his partner, and is finding an interesting work market. We discuss our origins together on season one of Hell's Kitchen, consider the legend of Sweet Boy, and track Ryan's career, including passing up a job position on The Office. We ultimately land on his decision to move out of the states to the beautiful surroundings of a small Mediterranean country and a unique production landscape. We also discuss the film Ryan co-produced and DP'd, "Wilma, Wu, and a stripper named Lorraine,' an indie film playing this coming weekend at the Dances With Films festival in Los Angeles this weekend (links in show notes). This is a robust conversation and a must-listen for anyone considering the possibility of taking a big step to move outside the familiar confines of the United States.

Show notes:

Dances with Films festival:

https://danceswithfilms.com/2026-wilma-wu-and-a-stripper-named-lorraine/

See the trailer for the movie:

https://vimeo.com/1190818506

Information on the movie's Instagram account:

https://www.instagram.com/wilmawulorrainemovie

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Bitcoin in 2026 is a highly polarizing concept. For those who laud it with an almost religious fervor for its qualities of autonomy and decentralization, as well as for others who see it as akin to a global money-laundering scheme, Bitcoin is, nonetheless, volatile and fascinating. In this episode of B Smith's Second Sticks, we spend some time with Adrian Pruett, friend of the pod, long-time DP/Director/Producer, and Founder and CEO of BTCENT, his entertainment company that uniquely melds the qualities of storytelling and Bitcoin. We spend some time on his origins, with some additional emphasis on Lego Masters, a non-scripted competition show show with a huge fan base and some unique production challenges. Adrian also shares with us his detailed philosophy of storytelling, and how the promise and potential of Bitcoin both serves the concept of content creation, and benefits from it as well. We lighten it up at the end and discuss the prospects of the Miami Dolphins, a team that is rebooting itself with a major infusion from the Green Bay Packers(!). It's a fascinating and off-the-grid conversation that you need to hear!

Show notes:

Check out the BTCENT website, featuring the soon-to-be released flagship series "Dishing Up Bitcoin"

www.btcent.co

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It would not be unusual, and perhaps even expected, that JD Roth would settle into a relatively isolated and restful retirement after a long and successful career in non-scripted television as a on-camera talent, producer and businessman who launched one of the most renowned non-scripted production companies in the 2000's. But he still continues to pass along the lessons of his legacy while serving as a professor at the University of Southern California, teaching the craft of reality television to the next generation. B Smith's Second Sticks caught up with Roth, as he shared his beginnings as a child actor who rode the bus alone into New York City every day to set as a teenager, to becoming the youngest host of a network tv show, to taking the advice of the legendary Dick Clark and transitioning from tv host to show creator. He went on to co-found 3 Ball Entertainment, one of the preeminent production companies in non-scripted television, launching shows such as The Biggest Loser, Endurance, and Bar Rescue. We also talked about the current state of affairs the non-scripted industry, when he saw the writing on the wall and sold his company to step away before the landscape changed for good. But Roth sees what the future in non-scripted could be, and the opportunities it can bring. No doubt he shares this vision with his students; now he shares it with us. A must-listen, must-watch for everyone in our industry.

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Despite the uncertain labor situation that we as non-scripted workers are facing, I think it's important to take a break, take a breath, and appreciate the historical importance of someone like David Nolte. B Smith's Second Sticks got to take a deep dive into Nolte's varied career as a musician and producer, as well as his time as an audio technician in Reality TV. Nolte is a friend, as decent and kind and modest as anyone you'll meet, which makes it even more fantastic to dig into his origins as, among other things, co-founder of the seminal punk band Descendants. Nolte was there at the very beginning of the now-historical origins of punk rock in Southern California. in the late 70's. We have fun touching all the bases, and he even turns around the interview mike on me (rascal!). We wrap up with thoughts about the current non-scripted environment, while Nolte suggests that it will take some DIY Punk inspiration to find our way to what's next. This is a fun one, grab your guitar and let's jam!

Amazing interview with Joe Nolte, David's older brother, about the origins of punk rock music in the South Bay (and talks about David starting the Descendants)

https://clrvynt.com/the-last-interview/

Live version of The Last's "She Don't Know Why I'm Here", later on their influential album "L.A. Explosion"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNKk-Itin64&list=RDEMrbABJJEw1sq_6PF3GYXbDw&start_radio=1

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As members of a much maligned genre as non-scripted, it's imperative that we arm ourselves with as much information as possible so as to understand the moment we are in now. B Smith's Second Sticks recently sat down with Denise Gutches, the CEO/COO/CFO of FilmLA, and we covered a lot of ground. We talked about FilmLA's role in the current landscape of production in Los Angeles and California, and the $750 million incentive package for productions in California, noting that non-scripted was for the most part left outside the picture. We also chatted about the gubernatorial and city mayoral races (on June 2; get out and vote or mail your ballot in!), and how one of the more useful proposals was coming from an unlikely source. We addressed the Baywatch fiasco, and how the bureaucratic process absolutely needs to be streamlined to help make Los Angeles a more viable place to shoot going forward. All that and much more! Much thanks to Denise for taking time out of her extremely busy schedule to speak with us. I hope you listen and learn something (I know I did).

Show notes:

Correction: I referred to Denise in the intro as a "CCO" when I should have said "COO."

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In the intro for today's podcast, I refer to Jesse Krim as a "YouTube Creative Director", which in retrospect I think might not be accurate. I think she's more a YouTube "architect", in that she plans, designs, and oversees the various platforms she creates for her clients. With knowledge that belies her still relatively young age, she is sharing her insights (along with other creators) through The Industry Shift, a seminar that puts wanna-learn people in contact with those in the YouTube creator economy who are already successful in navigating that media space. On B Smith's Second Sticks, we get into all that, including a lengthy conversation about her past experience in non-scripted television with the show Project Runway, and how that gave her valuable experience, but also the realization that she wanted to forge a different path for herself. Inevitably, she found an environment rife with potential for people who are smart, savvy, and not afraid to work. We have a great conversation, one that many of us "traditionalists" should give a listen to.

Click the link below for details and tickets for "The Industry Shift" seminar this Saturday, May 30th, 10 am - 6pm in Los Angeles. Jesse is committed to sharing the word with folks in our audience. You can DM her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-krim/ for possible discount information. For anyone curious about content creation outside the traditional means, this seminar is a must-see.

The Industry Shift

https://luma.com/84k17u6q

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It's been discussed on this very podcast that Assistant Directors are the engine that powers productions. But we've only had a former-AD-turned-Director on the pod... until now! B Smith's Second Sticks welcomes Corky Cronin, as we explore his beginnings from wanna-be-actor to stage manager at House of Blues to literally starting over in TV and movie production, working his way up the ranks to 1st AD on many notable projects both non-scripted and otherwise. Corky is a passionate individual whose philosophy is "leave no man (or woman) behind." While he is currently working, all his jobs are not only out of town, but out of the country, and we both agree that this current manifestation of runaway production needs to change.

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Georgia was the new production frontier in the late teens and early 20's; the state tax incentives and growing infrastructure made it too attractive for production companies to pass up. Then, strikes and growing costs rendered Georgia into just another expensive American location, and networks started taking their shows out of the state and country. Carrie Dufresne, (former) camera operator talks with B Smith's Second Stick's about the sudden changes that forced her into another career option. We wonder what's in store for the future workers as we sort through Carrie's career arch before and after the gold rush. Give a read to Savannah Sicurella's excellent article about the production slowdown in Georgia featuring an interview with Carrie (gift link in show notes); although written in late 2024, it thoroughly outlines the state's journey from feast to famine, which continues to this day.

https://www.ajc.com/news/business/how-the-slowdown-in-tv-and-film-production-hurts-georgia-workers/RLRBWUDNTNFRDFHTK5Y2CLDLQI/?gift_article_code=NlkxX3M3RlFuTks5QS1ndXF3TVdHRjN6LUM1cmh0b0dxSEoxbXd5RWNrZzoxNzgxMjI4OTY3OmQyZTE1ODA5MzkxY2MyMWQ&utm_campaign=articlegifting

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Everyone works hard on a non-scripted TV show, but probably no group of people work harder than the Art department. Constantly under the gun, dealing with near-impossible asks and pressing deadlines, the Art department coalesces to always deliver. B Smith's Second Sticks talks with prop master Scottie DeSantis (Scottie D to those in the know) about working together on classic reality cooking shows Hells Kitchen and Master Chef, and what it's like to be the right-hand prop-man to the legendary Gordon Ramsey. We talk about the current shifting seas of production in Los Angeles, and get wistful as Scottie D talks about getting the call to empty out the prop room at the Master Chef stage for the last time. Maybe a little bitter-sweet but there's hope, there's always hope! Give it a listen!

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